This week I wanted to share a wine with you that I enjoyed in an unusual circumstance. Normally I don’t think too much of my movie and wine pairings, but this one seemed so mismatched it stuck in my mind like drinking a light white with a heavy steak dish. Unlike mismatching food to wine, this mismatch was still rather enjoyable. In fact, I think even though the movie probably should have been paired with a heavy red, it also was quite enjoyable with a great rosé.

A few weeks ago my partner and I were down in Byron on a Saturday afternoon, and it started pouring with rain. This made any outdoor activities that we may have had planned a little unachievable, so we decided instead to watch a movie before dinner. Now we had a range of DVD’s to choose from, but there was one my partner fixated on. We popped it on and grabbed out some wine to enjoy with it. Little did I know what I was in for.

Would you believe I was watching Apocalypse Now?

I’ve never watched Apocalypse Now so I didn’t really know what to expect, but I have to tell you it was quite the opposite of the wine I drunk while watching it. It was full of action, suspense and crazy scenes, and I wasn’t really prepared for it. I enjoy action films, but this one was next level!

So you can imagine that sitting down to sip on a rosé may have not paired quite nicely with something as action-packed. Usually, I enjoy a glass or two of rosé watching the sunset with some wine and cheese, so you can imagine how jarring it was to be watching intense fight scenes whilst enjoying such a relaxing beverage.

I have to say though, when it comes down to it I really enjoyed it. I was quite surprised by this! However, I think this might have been to do with how nice the rosé was, rather than how great the overall experience was. The rosé, in particular, is La Vieille Ferme Recolte 2017. My partner picked it up from the local bottle store for the weekend, and it would have been a shame not to try it!

Why I loved it

This wine is from the Southern Rhone region in France, so is different to the Provence rosés that became my obsession on our recent trip. It is a blend of Cinsault, grenache and syrah grapes which give it a vibrant pink colour. It is different from the typical Provence rosé with its salmon colour because of this.

Personally, I thought the label was really cute. I am a sucker for animals, and the chickens on the front conjured up thoughts of cute little French farmhouses. I’m certain that’s where this wine came from – somewhere I would rather be!

The wine was sweeter than I normally would like for a rosé, but the balance of acidity meant that it turned out quite balanced. You got a hint of sweet fruits at the start, and then a slight hint of citrus acidity at the end. It is a really refreshing wine because of this, which is why it is far more suited to a long summer afternoon than a rainy day watching movies.

What to pair it with

Whilst you can enjoy this wine any time, it is best suited to light meals. Think fresh summery salads, grilled chicken or fish, and sharp cheese. I would love to buy this wine again and enjoy it one afternoon with friends and some antipasti! You could also pair it with a nice summer meal, something perfect for those hot nights we experience over this time of year.

Final verdict

This wine is perfect for those that enjoy a balanced rosé. If you don’t like it too dry and enjoy having a bit of sweetness in your wine, this is the wine for you. It shows that not all great rosé from France has to be from Provence, which I am guilty of thinking on occasion.

Whilst I wouldn’t really recommend enjoying this with a side of Apocolypse Now, it definitely made the movie more enjoyable having a good wine in hand. This rosé may be more suited to summer, but it brought a bit of brightness to a dreary day inside watching movies.